I'm a newer member here but wanted to share that I went through something very similar last year. The inconsistency in information from SSA reps is unfortunately common, but the advice from others here is spot on - your survivor FRA is what matters for the earnings test, not your regular retirement FRA. One thing that helped me was writing down the specific POMS section numbers and publication references that others have mentioned here before my appointment. I also brought a printed copy of my questions so I wouldn't forget anything during what can be a stressful conversation. Since you're self-employed, make sure you have your Schedule SE handy when you apply - they'll want to see your net earnings calculation. And definitely emphasize when you call that this is specifically for SURVIVOR benefits, not retirement benefits. That seemed to route me to more knowledgeable representatives. Good luck with your application this summer! The community here has been incredibly helpful for navigating these complex situations.

As someone who's been navigating Social Security for a while, I can confirm what others have said - the earnings test for survivor benefits definitely uses your survivor FRA, not your regular retirement FRA. You're absolutely right to be frustrated about getting conflicting information from different reps! Since your survivor FRA is December 2025, you'll have the higher earnings limit ($62,000 for 2025) for the entire year. The key thing to remember is that once you reach that survivor FRA in December, there's no earnings limit at all going forward. I'd suggest when you call to schedule your appointment, ask to speak with someone who specializes in survivor benefits specifically. Sometimes the general reps aren't as familiar with the nuances between retirement and survivor benefit rules. Also, consider visiting your local SSA office in person if possible - I've found the face-to-face interactions sometimes yield more knowledgeable representatives. Make sure to bring copies of all the documentation others mentioned, and don't hesitate to ask them to put their explanation in writing or add notes to your file. That way if you need to call back, there's a record of what was discussed. The whole system can be frustrating, but you're asking the right questions and this community is great for getting accurate information!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - the callback system is absolutely broken and you're definitely not alone in this frustration. I went through something very similar last year with my disability review and learned some hard lessons about how to actually get results from SSA. The most effective approach I found was combining multiple strategies: 1. **Congressional inquiry is your best bet** - Don't hesitate to contact your representative's office today. I was initially reluctant thinking it was "too much," but their caseworker told me Social Security issues are literally one of their top categories. I got a callback within 48 hours of submitting the inquiry. 2. **Call at exactly 8:00 AM** - The wait times are dramatically shorter and you're more likely to get a rep who isn't already burned out from dealing with frustrated callers all day. 3. **Ask for "dire need" designation immediately** - Since you're facing eviction, this should trigger expedited processing. Make sure they actually note this in your file, not just verbally acknowledge it. 4. **Document everything systematically** - Keep a spreadsheet with dates, rep names/IDs, and exact promises made. When they inevitably don't follow through, you have concrete evidence. The January filing timeline is unfortunately normal (6-8 months average), but the callback lies are completely unacceptable. Your case is probably at the state DDS office now, which you can also try contacting directly for status updates. Don't let them wear you down - that's exactly what this broken system is designed to do. You deserve these benefits and there are ways to force them to actually help you!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I'm dealing with the exact same callback nightmare and feeling so much less alone after reading everyone's experiences! I filed my SSDI application in early February and have been promised callbacks four times now with zero follow-through. Each time they act shocked that no one called, then make the exact same empty promise again. What's really striking me is how systematic this problem seems to be. It's clearly not just a few isolated cases of forgetful reps - this appears to be how the system is designed to function (or malfunction). The fact that so many of us are getting identical scripted responses suggests they're trained to use callbacks as a way to manage call volume rather than actually help people. I'm definitely going to try the Congressional representative route after seeing so many success stories here. I had no idea that was even an option, but the 48-72 hour response times people are reporting give me real hope. I'm also going to implement the 8:00 AM calling strategy and start being much more assertive about getting "dire need" status documented in my file. Thank you to everyone who shared what actually works - this kind of peer knowledge sharing is probably more helpful than anything SSA has provided. It's awful that we have to become experts in navigating a broken system just to access benefits we're entitled to, but at least now I have a real action plan instead of just waiting by the phone indefinitely!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now and reading all these experiences has been incredibly helpful! I'm planning to apply for spousal benefits in the next few weeks and have been terrified about sending my original marriage certificate from 1985 and divorce papers from 1989. It's so reassuring to see multiple people with documents from the same era getting them back safely. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about certified mail, taking detailed photos, including a cover letter requesting careful handling, and checking with my state's vital records office first about digitized backups. The detail about SSA using protective envelopes and representatives making notes about careful handling really helps ease my anxiety. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made this whole process feel much less scary!

I just went through this exact process about 4 months ago! SSA definitely returned my original marriage certificate (from 1988) and divorce decree (from 1991), and they came back in great condition after about 6 weeks. I was absolutely terrified to mail them since they're basically irreplaceable at this point. Here's what worked for me: I sent everything certified mail with return receipt requested, took high-quality photos of every single page (front and back), and included a cover letter with my contact info specifically asking for careful handling of irreplaceable original documents. When I called at the 4-week mark to check status, the representative was really understanding and actually made a note in my file about the documents being originals that needed special care. They returned them in a sturdy protective envelope, not just a regular one. The waiting was nerve-wracking, but SSA handled everything professionally. One thing I wish I'd done first was contact my state's vital records office to see if they had backup copies available - definitely worth checking before you send your originals! Good luck with your application!

I'm new to this community and just went through this exact transition a few months ago! After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I wanted to add my experience to reinforce what everyone is saying. I started my Social Security benefits in August and was terrified about messing up my Medicare coverage. Here's what worked for me: I called Medicare at exactly 8 AM (set my alarm!) and got through in about 18 minutes. The key was asking specifically for someone who handles "Social Security benefit coordination" - this got me transferred to a specialist who knew exactly what I was dealing with. She explained that I should pay just one month directly while their system synced with Social Security, which would take 4-6 weeks. She also set up automatic notifications in my account so I'd get alerts when the transition was complete. The whole process went smoothly, and the automatic deductions started with my third Social Security check, exactly as predicted. My biggest tip: don't just rely on verbal confirmations - ask for everything in writing! I requested email confirmation of our conversation, which saved me when there was a small billing question later. This community is amazing for getting real-world guidance that you just can't find in the official documentation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I'm new to this community and facing this exact transition next month! Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I was honestly panicking about potentially losing Medicare coverage or accidentally double-paying. The consistent advice about calling Medicare early in the morning (around 8 AM) and asking specifically for the "Social Security benefit coordination" department seems like the key to getting through to someone who actually understands these transitions. I'm definitely going to set up that documentation system everyone mentioned before I even start making calls - tracking confirmation numbers, case references, and getting everything in writing sounds crucial. It's amazing how much clearer this process becomes when you hear from people who've actually navigated it successfully. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their detailed experiences - you've probably saved me and many others from making costly mistakes! This is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes this community so valuable.

I'm new to this community and wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed discussion! I'm about to start my own Social Security application and was dreading the marriage history section. My previous marriage lasted only 4 years, and I was worried it would complicate everything unnecessarily. After reading through all these experiences, I feel so much more confident about the process. The consensus is clear - be honest, answer "yes" to previous marriages, provide the basic information (dates, spouse name, how it ended), and let the system handle the rest. It's reassuring to know that most people had smooth experiences with short marriages and that the system automatically recognizes when a marriage doesn't meet the 10-year threshold. For those dealing with the red error bug that's preventing submission - that sounds incredibly frustrating! Definitely seems like a technical issue SSA needs to fix rather than expecting people to omit accurate information. This thread has been such a valuable resource for understanding what to actually expect versus just trying to interpret the official forms. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm currently preparing to file for my own Social Security benefits and was really anxious about how to handle my previous marriage that lasted only 5 years. Reading through everyone's real-world experiences has been so much more valuable than trying to decode the official SSA documentation on my own. The clear consensus from all of your experiences is really reassuring - answer honestly about previous marriages, provide the basic information when prompted (dates, spouse name, how it ended), and trust that the system will automatically handle marriages under 10 years appropriately. It's great to know that most people had smooth experiences without unnecessary paperwork requests for short marriages. I feel so much more confident about starting my application now. For those dealing with that red error bug that's blocking submissions - that sounds incredibly frustrating and definitely seems like a technical issue SSA needs to address urgently. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and advice here!